10 Tactics was screened at a workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe this week. The workshop was organised by The Kubatana Trust of Zimbabwe and The NGO Alliance Project whose aim is "to strengthen the use of email and internet strategies in Zimbabwean NGOs and civil society organisations" in bringing about positive democratic change. 10 Tactics was screened alongside the film 'Favela Rising'.
Many thanks to Bev Clark for her thoughtful and insightful blog posts.
In the Zimbabwe Based Fear blog Bev wrote: "There is so much that people know out there but what good is knowledge without you using it? These 10 Tactics help you to make sure what you have and use it well.
The second tactic is the one that really got me going. Witness and record. This is where the workshop happened for me I tell you. I suddenly saw myself recording a corrupt police officer taking bribes from vehicle drivers under the disguise of a police roadblock. I could see him taking the money completely oblivious of me recording him with my phone. I could see myself going to an honest police officer and showing him my findings. As I give him that recording there is no fear in me. I am not even afraid of the system because in my dreams it is fair and just. I see him call all the relevant people trying to find out how he can arrest this corrupt policeman who has brought shame to his field of work. I even hear him thank me for being a brave and true citizen because for a moment there in my dream I was actually standing up for what I think is true and right and I have no fear. I see thousands of other Zimbabweans taking my lead and exposing all the corrupt people they brush shoulders with on a daily basis. Yes I did not fear a thing because in my dreams it is every Zimbabwean’s right to stop corruption. I even saw myself standing in the witness box and pointing him out to the judge and saying, yes, this is the man who has helped corruption blossom to a well-rooted tree." I
In the Creative Resistance blog Bev explains, "Our goal in hosting this screening was to was inspire the activists to approach their work in different and perhaps more effective ways. Major issues that were raised in using 10 Tactics included verifying information, self-censorship in reporting information and how to mobilise people."
Another participant said in the Stare and Look Closely: Activism Is Everywhere"My mind today was put [on a] journey as I was give the opportunity to visualise the tactics of information activism. My experience made my eyes stare and look closely at a direction I used to just glance at, rekindle some dreams I had shelved under my pillow, open my mouth to say a word or two on issues I’ve been keeping quiet about."